Effects Of Cattle Rustling On Boy-Child Participation In Primary Education In Public School In Turkana South Constituency, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of cattle rustling on boy-child participation in primary education in public school in Turkana south constituency, Kenya The study sought to determine how cattle rustling affect academic performance in public primary schools and dropout rate in these schools. In addition the study also examined how cattle rustling have affected student retention rates in public primary and its effects on student class attendance. This study was conducted at Turkana south constituency, Kenya with a target population of 1394 students, 120 teachers and 15 principals. Descriptive research survey design was employed whereby 1394 students, 120 teachers and 15 principals were sampled. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected by use of a questionnaire. All analyses were descriptive in nature. Through data analysis the study established that the poor academic performance of pupils in Turkana south constituency is as a result of cattle rustling which is prevalent in the area. The study established that when cattle rustling occurs pupils perform dismally in their examinations because rustling contributes to high pupils‟ absenteeism from school, teachers‟ absenteeism for fear of being killed, lack of concentration of pupils when in class as they fear to be killed, loss of property and lives, hence affecting pupils performance in examinations. Such experiences would most likely affect pupils‟ concentration on their studies which would be reflected on poor academic performance. The study also established that cattle rustling increase dropout rate in primary schools by making parents of the children in school keep on migrating from one place to another, dropout is also affected by some children opting to stay at home for fear of being attacked as they go to school. The absence of teachers at school during the time of cattle rustling also make pupils not attend school because there is no one to teach them. On retention rate, the study established that there are low retention rates in primary schools in Turkana south constituency due to frequent interruption of school system. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that; The government should eradicate black market for cattle to reduce cases of cattle rustling as this is brought about by the commercialization of animals. In order to improve the situation on the area the government in partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations should set up more boarding schools to shorten the distance and improve on security by building police camps near the boarding schools. The warriors should be enlightened to stop the practice of cattle rustling as it causes teacher and pupils‟ absenteeism, damage of school facilities, hence disrupting learning. All security agencies and relevant line ministries should collaborate with each other and with key education stake holders to ensure that the conflicts are promptly and effectively resolved. Further studies can be carried out in order to establish remedies to cattle rustling in Turkana south constituency.